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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: GUITAR1989 on June 01, 2012, 05:47:15 pm
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Hey guys Its been a while. My old 350 is serving me well but Its just not quite cutting it. Its time to upgrade!!! :) Im pretty set on getting a roller vortec 5.7 from a totaled truck and swapping it in. Ive done some research but just cant find all the answers. Id really appreciate it if you guys could point me to some good threads and answer some questions I have. Its going into my 1974 stepside. Currently I have a gen 1 carbed 350 and a th400 auto. Im planning on going carbureted since I !!!HATE!!! wiring. Im going to get a vortec intake and use my edelbrock 600cfm. maybe it would be best if i made a list of questions rather than a big old scrambled paragraph :P
1. after swapping in the intake and carb will I still need the wiring harness/comp?
2. will my autometer gauges work with this engine...mech oil pressure, elec water temp, voltometer, fuel level
3. will the vortec engine bolt right up to my th400 or will I need a different flywheel, torque converter, adapter?
4. will i need different engine mounts?
5. will my carb throttle cable work or is there some kind of electric pedel set up for the vortecs?
6. what needs to be done to install an electric fuel pump since my current set up doesnt have one? is it as simple as put it in the fuel line and wire it up? or do i need to modify my tank or anything like that?
7. will my headers bolt up to the vortec block or do they have a different bolt pattern?
8. am i just completely skipping anything? or have i covered all things ill need to do for the conversion?
thanks for your help guys
Shayne
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I don't really see a big advantage going to a gen II block over the gen I. It seems like it would be a lot easier to rebuild your block and use some vortech heads and the edelbrock intake,
With the Gen II block you'll lose the ability to use a mechanical fuel pump.
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I don't really see a big advantage going to a gen II block over the gen I. It seems like it would be a lot easier to rebuild your block and use some vortech heads and the edelbrock intake,
With the Gen II block you'll lose the ability to use a mechanical fuel pump.
I agree with this.
The only reason I use a generation II block is because it is a fresh build with low miles. As far as the fuel pump goes, I wish I could have mechanical instead of electric.
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The reason I want a vortec is for the roller cam and the better vortec heads. Plus Id like to have my current engine out so I can learn how to rebuild it. The engine is a 010 flat tapped block with some Hecho en Mexico crate motor heads. I am gonna rebuild that one and get a car to stick it in :) I saw 240z's that had 350's and they were Baaaad. Maybe a nova or my uncles 68 Chevelle thats been sitting at my grandmas house since as far back as I can remember. I also found a holley electric pump so I wont have to buy one hopefully...not sure if it works yet.
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Your gauges should still work, and the 400 should bolt up. If I remember right, the main differences between the gen I and II blocks was the fuel pump boss deletion and I think the water pump is a bit different.I'm pretty sure the threads were still sae.
Make sure you use the balancer and flexplate for that engine. I'd keep the serpentine drive as well. As far as tuning the engine, I think you can put an hei distributor in there with your carb and intake and be fine.
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The issue with after market electric pumps is that they run hot and are not dependable as a mechanical pumps. i run vortech heads on my gen I block. I have my mechanical pump and regular hydraulic lifters. What are you hoping to gain by having the roller cam?
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Flywheel is different also. Any 90 up block will be setup to work with a roller.
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Headers will bolt right up!